NIA registers case over recovery of 79 crude bombs in Kolkata

KOLKATA, Apr 27: The National Investigation Agency has registered a case to investigate the recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, following directions from the Union Home Ministry, officials said.

According to an official statement, the agency has taken over the case originally registered at Uttar Kashi police station in Bhangar division of Kolkata on Saturday, and has begun its probe.

The case relates to the seizure of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata Police, allegedly stored at a location in a manner that posed serious risk to human life and property.

Earlier, the Election Commission of India had directed West Bengal Police to launch a special drive against those involved in the illegal manufacture of crude bombs in the state. It also stated that all such cases would be investigated by the NIA.

The directive followed the recovery of a large cache of crude bombs from the residence of a person, reportedly linked to the Trinamool Congress, in Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas district, ahead of the second and final phase of the Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, one person has been arrested in connection with a March 18 explosion in West Bamunia village of Chaltaberia in Bhangar, where crude bombs were allegedly being assembled. The accused, Wahidul Islam Molla, is suspected to be directly involved in the incident.

Investigators said Trinamool booth president Mosiur Kazi was injured in the blast, and his body was later recovered about 24 kilometres away in Haroa. The NIA is continuing its probe to uncover the wider network behind the case. (Agencies)